Buccs lose out

BUCCANEERS endured another frustrating afternoon when, despite scoring 4 tries away from home, they were outpointed 30-24 by University College, Dublin, in a lively AIB League Division One encounter played in near ideal conditions at the Bowl, Belfield, on Saturday. In a game of swaying fortunes, both sets of supporters had their ups and downs in an exciting, engaging but error-ridden affair that yielded eight tries. Again mistakes cost Buccs dearly with knock-ons setting up two tries for the students while the midlanders kicked away far too much possession (generally a fatal flaw against college outfits). Most worryingly, Buccs had a torrid afternoon in the lineouts where their target options were limited and UCD proved utterly dominant in this key sector. The midlanders were further upset here by a very early injury to Garreth Halligan that hampered his usual radar-like throwing-in as well as curtailing his influence about the park. In fairness to one of Buccaneers most consistent contributors over many seasons, the hooker really should have been withdrawn earlier, but replacement Marcus Madden fared little better at lineout time such was the below par efforts of Buccs" jumpers.With David Gannon and Anthony Hughes injured and Alamoti TePou and Clifford Richardson not available, Buccs worst fears were realised in this crucial aspect of modern rugby and another 'winnable' match slipped away from the midlanders. Overall UCD shaded the contest, their third quarter effort proving pivotal. Despite missing Kevin Croke, their pack was just as tight, well-drilled and disciplined as the unit that pushed Clontarf around the paddock the previous week. Arthur Houlihan and Brian Cawley (the latter formerly of this parish) had a field day at lineout time and, consequently, their enterprising backline got lots of decent possession with which to show their pace and potential. Here, promising Ireland U-20 outhalf Ian McKinley grew in stature as the game progressed, full-back Michael Hastings was very solid and Fergus McFadden was a controlling influence in midfield. Buccaneers, with Connacht trio Danny Riordan, Conor O"Loughlin and Aidan Wynne in their starting line-up, also packed plenty of verve and enterprise in their backline, but the pack struggled to contain the home forwards on the firm, top of ground surface. They had the assistance of the slight breeze in the opening half, but UCD began in rapid-fire fashion that the midlanders" found difficult to stem. Just when it seemed that Buccaneers had weathered this early storm, Riordan knocked on in midfield and McFadden swooped to catch the visitors flat and he just managed to make the line to touchdown for a 6th minute try which he also converted. Buccs eventually put some phases together and seven minutes later, Sean Carey got through for a try which Alan Gaughan converted to level. As the game entered the second quarter, Buccs were caught napping when McKinley took a quick throw-in and, when the ball was returned to the young stand-off, he left Wynne floundering before chipping over the advancing Riordan for a cutely taken 23rd minute try, which McFadden failed to convert. But Buccs replied within a mere two minutes, Carey haring away down the right from halfway to commit Hastings before off-loading to Riordan, who made amends for his earlier error by touching down at the posts. Gaughan"s conversion nosed the Athlone side 14-12 ahead. Kolo Kiripati soon had to be at his resilient best to stem a UCD siege, but Buccs had two good opportunities to stretch their advantage before the break, Kieran O"Gorman being stopped just short after a fine counter-attack, while a close-in lineout went awry. And so the scoreline remained unchanged at the interval. UCD forced the pace following the restart and Buccs found it difficult to get their hands on the ball or get out of their danger zone. The home side"s third try after 47 minutes was another poor one from the midlanders" point of view, Conor Quinn getting through much too easily after Buccs had lost another lineout and then messed up at a scrum close to their line. McFadden didn"t convert but landed a 58th minute penalty to put UCD 20-14 ahead. On the hour mark, Buccs" best performer Kiripati stormed down the right flank before laying off a pass to the supporting O"Loughlin, who scampered in for a try to leave just a single point between the sides. Gaughan was a bit casual with his conversion attempt and, crucially, winger Quinn got out to block. This was a costly miss for it prevented Buccaneers regaining the lead and also gave UCD, now leading by the minimum 20-19, a psychological lift at a vital stage. They promptly capitalised when Carey knocked on when double-tagged in midfield, with Cian Aherne reacting sharpest to skip forward where he coolly chipped over Adrian Hanley, and the home winger was always going to win the race to ground the ball after 63 minutes. McFadden added a fine conversion. The one controversial incident in a very sporting encounter followed on 70 minutes. O"Loughlin made a typical burst from midfield and showed wonderful composure when kicking over the last defender, who was late and clearly impeded the Buccs scrum-half. A yellow card, probably, and penalty try, possibly, could have been the outcome but, amazingly, referee Leo Colgan allowed play to continue and UCD cleared the danger before breathing a collective sigh of relief. Salt was rubbed in Buccs" wounds two minutes later when McFadden drilled over a magnificent long-range penalty to put UCD 30-19 to the good. But Buccaneers battled on valiantly and laid siege in the home 22 for the final seven minutes. They came tantalisingly close to adding to their try tally on 77 minutes but the ball squirted forward when stretching from a ruck against committed defending. However, Kiripati caused home nerves to fray when his persistent efforts throughout reaped reward as he powered in for a 79th minute try which Gaughan failed to convert. But this was a very valuable touchdown, being Buccaneers fourth and Bonus try, whilst also earning a second Bonus point as the midlanders lost by less than seven points. The bonus points helped Buccs climb above Dungannon in a congested league table. But they will be disappointed not to have broken their long winless sequence against UCD, and the midlanders have some selection issues before they take the daunting trip to Cork Constitution next Saturday. BUCCANEERS:D.Riordan; A.Wynne, A.Gaughan, A.Hayman, S.Carey; S.Rolleston, C.O"Loughlin; M.Diffley, G.Halligan, K.Moran; L.Tonkin, J.Tormey; K.Kiripati, K.O"Gorman, A.Hanley (capt.). Replacements used: M.Madden (for Halligan, 48 mins), P.Harte (for Rolleston, 59), C.Watters (for Tonkin, 66) and B.Gilligan (for Diffley, 71). UCD: M.Hastings (capt.); C.Aherne, F.McFadden, K.Lett, Conor Quinn; I.McKinley, Cormac Quinn; J.A.Lee, C.Geoghegan, B.Barclay; A.Houlihan, B.Cawley; M.Flanagan, D.Gilchrist, K.McLaughlin. Replacements: M.Nagle (for Flanagan, 19 mins), N.Kearns (for Conor Quinn, 62), R.Shanley (for Cormac Quinn, 71). Shanley also blood sub for Cormac Quinn (17-21 mins). REFEREE: Leo Colgan (Munster).